THL231 Australian Church History from 1788 CE (8)
Prerequisite: THL131
This subject examines the establishment and growth of Australian churches and the challenges they faced in each major period from 1788 CE to the present. It examines common factors affecting denominations, as well as persisting distinctives of immigrant religious traditions. The effects on churches of drought, economic depression and two world wars are explored, as is the impact of post-World War II immigration and exposure to American culture. This subject investigates the interaction between Christianity and Indigenous peoples and such issues as the engagement of the churches in education, welfare and politics.